Method of treating artificial fibers



Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,702

E. K. GLADDING METHOD OF TREATING ARTIFICIAL FIBERS Filed July 11,- 1927 Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST K. GLADDING, 0F BUFFALO, YORK, ASSIGNOR TO DU PONT RAYON COM- PANY, INCORPORATED, 015 BUFEALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

innrnon or 'rnnn'rrne ARTIFICIAL FIBERS.

Application filed July 11, 1927. Serial No. 204,715

This invention relates to an improvement in the treatment of artificial fibers. The artificial filaments or fibers are, according to one method of manufacture, spun into a bucket, thus forming what is known as a cake of artificial fibers on the interior surface of the bucket. Heretofore, it has been customary to reel the wet artificial fibers into skeins and then treat the skeined fibers to washing, desulfuring, bleaching and other steps, the fibers in skein form being less liable to inJury than in the cake. Another method has been attempted, namely, to wash the fibers free from impurities while in the cake after placing an insert in the cake in order to maintain its shape. The artificial fibers in this stage of manufacture, i e., the wet stage,'

are very easily broken, and the handling which the skelns and cakes undergo while fitting the insert therein and during washing, handling and subsequent treatments resul'ts in damage to the individual fibers and in derangement of the fibers in the cakes, so that they cannot be thereafter unwound without causing additional damage and loss. The material, while thus being handled and while moist, is particularly sensitive to dust and other impurities which likewise have a detrimental effect on the fibers. Moreover, when the second process is used, the insert which is of metal will slow down the washing, because it hinders the free passage of water or other liquid through the cake.

It is the object of my invention to avoid the above difficulties in a simple and efiicient manner and this I do by a novel and improved method, which will be better understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a cake of artificial fibers with a protective covering applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through a cake with the covering about to be applied thereto.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the covering in final position on the cake, this figure being a vertical sectionthrough Figure 1.

The gist of my invention resides in providing a rotective covering for the cake of artificial bers at this stage in the process of manufacturing the fibers. The covering I should be of a material which will protect the cake from the ill effects of handling and which will also keep away substantially all of the dust and impurities which are in the air. At the same' time, the material forming the covering must be such as to permit the passage of water or other liquid therethrough and to permit liquid to be passed from the cake. I have found that a fabric such as cheese-cloth forms a satisfactory material for such a covering, although other materials may be used if found satisfactory.

The covering is formed by taking a length of fabric as indicated by the numerall and placing it around a cake 2 in the approximate manner shown in Figure 1, so that it will overlap at 3 to completely surround the cake. It will be noted that the length of fab- IlC is wider than the depth of the cake and preferably the lower portion 4 of the covering below the cake is longer than the upper portion 5 above the cake. This top portion 5 s brought around over the cake as indicated in Figure 3. The lower portion 4 is then brought over the top of the cake and up through the interior thereof, it being noted that the lower edge 7 overlies the top edge 6. Preferably the lower portion is pulled completely through the cake, thus insuring a continuous covering for the interior. The cakes are usually washed while hanging upon rods,

and, by having oneportion of the covering exthe filaments, not only preventing them from being broken but also preventing them from derangement in the cake.

By my method the rate of washing in the cake is increased and the amount of water used decreased.

Since the cloth wrapping yields to strain in all directions, it permits the cake to swell with water and become much more. porous,

taminations and impurities in the artificial fibers which may be residual'in liquid form in the cake and which it is the ami oi'thi."

liquid treatments to remove, are concentrated to some extent in the covering durin drying,

thus further removing impurities rom the surface of the cake. 1

I claim:

1. The step cake of artificial fibers which comprises covering it with a fabric.

2. The method of treating a cake of artificial fibers which consists in washing the cake of fibers while covered with a protectlve covermg. a 3. The method of treating a cake of artificial fibers which comprises providing it with covering in the method of treating anessnoa 7 aprotective covering which will permit the passa gle1 QfJiqIuids.

4. e met 0d of treating a cake of artificial fibers which com rises treating it with a fibrous covering 'whic sage of liquids.

5. The method of treating a cake of artificial fibers which comprises providing it witha' woven protective covering whichwill permit the passage of liquids. '3

i 6. In the method oft're'a tin g a c eke of artificial fibers, the stepf'whichfcoinprises completely covering it with a wovenjprotective 1i uids.

. In the method of treatin a cake of arti- V ficial fibers, the step of comp etel coverin the outer and inner surfaces of sai cake wit a protective covering which will permit passage of liquids.

signature to this specification.

ERNEST K. GLADDING.

will permit the paswhich will permit the passage of.

the"

In testimony whereof, I have afiixed my 45 

